Answers are needed over the deaths of two girls at a unit for vulnerable youngsters, an MSP has said.
West Dunbartonshire Council has launched a review following the deaths at the Blue Triangle centre in Bonhill. The local authority said it tries to identify and engage with any vulnerable individual who is at risk of suicide.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie called for a full investigation into the circumstances of the apparent suicides and said a public inquiry may be necessary.
The Labour MSP told BBC Radio Scotland: "It is extraordinarily sad when someone dies, but it is absolutely tragic when two people, such young vulnerable women, take their own lives. They happened to be in the same supported accommodation, I understand they were friends with each other and they took their own lives within weeks of each other.
"I'm genuinely concerned about the circumstances that led up to this, I hope that both the council and the police will have a very full and thorough investigation, but I think we may need to be in the territory of a public inquiry, so we can understand the circumstances that led up to their deaths.
"It is extraordinary for two such young women to take their own lives within such a short space of time that happened to live in the same supported accommodation. That rings alarm bells for me, as it would do for my community, and I think we need to get some answers as to why this happened."
The unit is run by Blue Triangle in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council. It provides supported accommodation to vulnerable young homeless people aged over 16.
A council spokeswoman said: "The news of these deaths is deeply upsetting and the council would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the families of these two young people. We have offered counselling and support to the relatives, and also to other young people living in this supported accommodation block.
"The Community and Health Care Partnership has launched a formal review into these deaths involving multi-agency partners and it will be the decision of the procurator fiscal whether a fatal accident inquiry is held.
"The council is fully committed to supporting our vulnerable young people and adults, and has trained in excess of 3,200 in suicide prevention. We also endeavour to identify and engage with any vulnerable individual who is at risk of suicide."
